Curtain supporting and operating mechanism



Aug. 21, 1951 c. RAKEMAN CURTAIN SUPPORTING AND OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 5. 1948' mi IIIIIIiIHIIIH'4 INVENTOR Patented ug. 21, 1951 OFFICE CURTAIN SUPPORTING AND OPERATING MECHANISM Chester Rakeman, New York, N. Y.

Application February 5, 1948, Serial No. 6,483

(Cl. 1GO- 346) 13 Claims.

This invention relates to curtain supporting and operating mechanisms. Although designed and intended for use in connection with stage curtains, the invention is not limited thereto but is generally adapted to curtains, draperies and the'like. Mechanisms of this type usually comprise a supporting track or tracks having a draw-line associated therewith and curtain supporting carriages movable therealong. In order to draw the curtain in unfolded condition across the prosceniumV or other space to be curtained, and at the same time to provide for gathering the curtain for support in folded condition when drawn aside, the supporting carriages embody devices for gripping the draw-line at spaced intervals when moving across such space and for automatically releasing the draw-line to permit the supporting carriages moving into abutting relation to fold the curtain when drawn aside. The gripping mechanisms permit drawing the curtain without subjecting the material thereof to the stresses produced by the drawing operation.

An object of this invention is to provide a curtain supporting carriage having an improved construction and arrangement of draw-line gripping mechanism adapted to be operated to release or grip the line at predetermined points in the carriage travel along the supporting track.

A further object is to provide a curtain supporting and operating mechanism constructed and larranged to permit operation of a one-piece curtain to completely curtain the associated space in unfolded arrangement, and to provide for withdrawal thereof to either side or alternately to opposite sides in folded condition.

A further object is to provide a curtain operating mechanism having an improved curtain vsupporting carriage. A still further object is to provide an improved curtain mechanism constructed and arranged to be equally adapted to single or multiple curtain '2 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation,

illustrating the improved carriage construction of the present invention and the arrangement and 'operation ofthe draw-line gripping mechanism.

2 Figs. 3 and 4 are sections on the lines 3--3 and 4-4 of Fig. 2.

In the present invention a curtain supporting track is formed by an inverted YU--shaped member I I having a carriage supporting surface formed by a pair of inwardly extending anges I2 projecting inwardly from each arm of the U- shaped member and arranged to provide a space therebetween. The track is, as usual, mounted to extend across the space to be curtained, such, for example, as a stage proscem'um. The inner face I3 of the web I4 of the U-shaped member constitutes a cam surface for controlling the operation of the line gripping means on the curtain supporting carriages as hereinafter described. A draw-line I5 is located below the track for movement in either direction longitudinally of the track.

A plurality of curtain supporting carriages I6 are mounted on rollers II which support the carriage for movement on the track anges I2. Each carriage has a curtain supporting hanger I 8 provided with an elongated eye or bore I9 through which the draw-line runs and the curtain 2I is connected by hooks 22 to the lower end of the hangers I8.

Each carriage is provided with a line gripping jaw 23 which may have a serrated face 24, if desired, to increase its frictional gripping of the line I5. Each jaw is mounted for vertical movement into and out of operative line gripping position in which it cooperates with the bottom face of the eye or bore I9, which forms a second jaw, to grip the draw-line I5 and cause the carriage I6 to be moved along the supporting track by the draw-line. Each movable jaw 23 is formed at the lower end of a stem 25 extending upwardly through a bore or socket 26 formed in each carriage I6 to a position adjacent the cam surface I3. Each stem is provided with a cross-head 2 on which are mounted a pair of cam surface engaging rollers 28 which ride along the cam surface I3 as the carriage moves along the track. A helical spring 29 surrounds each stem 25 in the associated bore and bears at its upper end against a spring seat 3I adjacent the cross-head 21. This spring maintains the jaw operating rollers 28 in engagement with the cam surface I3 and insures release of the draw-line I5 when such cam surface permits.

It will be apparent that a plurality of carriages I6 are employed and are connected to the curtain 2| at suitably spaced intervals by the hooks 22.

, Two lead carriages 32 are provided, which form the terminal carriage at each end of the curtain. These terminal or end carriages preferably have 3 double hangers I8 and dual movable jaws 23', as best shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The jaws 23 of the terminal carriages are similar to the jaws of the other carriages and are adapted to grip and release the draw-line I in the same way. The web I4 of the U-shaped track member is provided with anv inclined section 313 located in the track member at each side of the space to be curtained, and each incline 3B is spaced from the associated end of the track a distance sufficient to leave room between the incline and the end of the track for the gathering and supporting of the curtain in folded condition when drawn aside.

It will be apparent that the invention is adapted for use with a two-piece curtain in which separate curtains are drawn inwardly from each side of the space to be curtained to meet or overlap at the center thereof, or it may be employed with a single curtain adapted to be drawn across the entire space from one side and to be withdrawn alternately to opposite sides, or to one side, only, according to choice.

Assuming, for example, that a single curtain, as shown in Fig. l, is to be used, movement of the draw-line I5 to the right draws the curtain toward the right end of the track. As the lead carriage 32 passes the incline 33 of the jaw-operating cam surface I3 moving to the right, the jaws 23' of the lead carriage are raised by the associated springs 29 to release the draw-line i5. This permits the succeeding carriage i6 to be drawn into abutment with the lead carriage 32, and the gripping jaw 23 of the succeeding carriage I6 likewise releases the draw-line I5. In a similar manner each succeeding carriage I6 moves into abutment with the preceding carriage and releases the draw-line I5 as it passes the inclined surface 34 with the result that the curtain 2l is gathered and supported in folded condition as illustrated at the right of Fig.- l. It is to be noted that the operation of the draw-line i is discontinued before the terminal or lead carriage 32 at the opposite edge of the curtain 2i reaches the inclined cam surface 34 with the result that the jaws 23 on the left-hand lead carriage 32 retain their grip on the draw-line I5 so that when the latter is next moved to the left the left-hand lead carriage 32 moves with it, causing the adjacent fold in the curtain 2`I to unfold and draw the next carriage I6 along the track past the incline 34, moving to the left across the space to be curtained. As each succeeding carriage I@ moves to the left past the incline 3, the associated jaw is pressed into gripping engagement with the draw-line I5. Obviously, the curtain is thus drawn across the space in unfolded condition to curtain such space, the draw-line, of course, being manipulated so as to discontinue its movement when the space is curtained. Subsequent operation of the draw-line to draw the curtain aside can be accomplished by moving it in either direction, and the curtain can be drawn into folded condition at either end of the supporting track II.

It will be obvious that when dual curtains are employed, a pair of supporting tracks can be used extending inwardly across the open space from each side and, if desired, the ends of the tracks can project past each other to permit overlapping of the dual curtains in closed position. With such a construction, of course, the two curtains` are always opened by moving to their respective sides.

Having described an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is pointed out that various changes and modifications may be made therein IS L) 4 without departing from the invention as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A curtain operating mechanism comprising in combination, an inverted U shaped track having dual surfaces adapted to extend across the space to be curtained, one of said surfaces having an inclined cam section adjacent the respective ends of the track a draw-line movable along said track, a carriage supported on one of said surfaces for movement therealong and including a curtain supporting hanger having an eye through which said line runs, a reciprocable clamping jaw vertically movable relatively to said eye and cooperating therewith to grip said line, and movable means associated with said other surface of the track adapted to follow the other surface and the inclined cam section for actuating said jaw to grip and release said line at determinate points in the travel of said carriage.

2. A mechanism comprising in combination, a hollow track having dual surfaces adapted to extend across the space to be curtained, one of said surfaces being inclined adjacent the ends of the track to form a cam thereat a draw-line movable along said track, a carriage supported on one of said surfaces for movement therealong and including a curtain supporting hanger having an eye through which said line runs, a reciprocable clamping jaw extending through the carriage and movable relatively to said eye and cooperating therewith to grip said line, rotatable means disposed above the carriage and in connection with the jaw movable along said other surface 'for actuating said jaw to grip said line at determinate points in the travel of said carriage on the track and tensioned means for yieldingly maintaining said jaw actuating means in engagement with said other surface to release said draw-line when said carriage reaches a predetermined cam point adjacent the end of said track.

3. A mechanism comprising in combination, an inverted U shaped track having dual surfaces adapted to extend across the space to be curtained, a draw-line movable along said track, a carriage having roller means supported on one of said surfaces for movement therealon'g, said carriage including a depending curtain supporting hanger having an eye through which Vsaid line runs, a slidably mounted reciprocabi'e clamping jaw in the carriage movable relatively to said eye and cooperating vtherewith to grip said line, roller means connected to 'said jaw 'and movable along said other surface for actuating said jaw to grip said line at determinate 'points in the travel of said carriage, 'said track having van inclined top surface for actuating 'said 'jaw when the roller means are abutting 'said top, and spring means intermediate the hanger 'and the roller means for yieldingly maintaining said 'roller in engagement with said other surface to release said draw-line when 'said carriage reaches a predetermined point adjacent the end of said track.

4. A curtain supporting and operating mechanism comprising in combination, a track -having dual surfaces adapted to extend across the space to be curtai'ned, part of said track lhaving la top inclined surface, a draw-line movable in opposite directions adjacent 'said track, a 'plurality of carriages supported on one of said surfaces for movement therealong including an end carriage, a curtain supporting hanger depending Afrom said end carriage adapted to be connected 'to and support the vertical edge of a curtain, curtain 'supporting hangers on said other carriages, each 'of said hangers having an eye lthrough which `said draw-line runs, a spring-pressed slidably mounted clamping jaw mounted on each of said carriages including said end carriage, each extending from the carriages into the associated eye and adapted to cooperate with the associated eye to grip said line, roller means associated with each of said jaws and movable along said other surface and following the contour thereof for actuating said jaws to grip said line at determinate points in the travel of said carriages, whereby the clamping jaw moves up and down relatively of the hangers, said upper surface having an inclined portion as to cause each of said carriages including said end carriage to grip said line during movement of said carriages across the space to be curtained and to release said line at a predetermined point at each side of said space adjacent the ends of said track to permit folding of said curtain when drawn aside at either end of said track.

5. A mechanism comprising iny combination, an inverted U track having a straight supporting and a top cam surface adapted to extend across l the space to be curtained, a draw-line movable longitudinally of said track, a carriage supported for movement along said supporting surface, a curtain supporting hanger on said carriage including line-gripping jaws, a spring-pressed stem extending through said carriage from the track into the hanger for operating said jaws, and movable means in connection with the stem, engageable with said cam surface for moving said stem to actuate said jaws at predetermined points in the movement of said carriage along said supporting surface. n 6. A mechanism comprising in combination, a track having separate supporting and a top inclined surface adapted to extend across the space to be curtained, a, draw-line movable longitudinally of said track, a carriage supported for movement along said supporting surface, a curtain supporting hanger on said carriage including line gripping jaws, a spring-pressed stem extending through said carriage from the track into the hanger for operating said jaws, rotatable means engageable with said inclined surface connected to Said stein, and cam faces on said top Surface `so' located as to cause the rotatable means to fol-y low the contour of the top surface and Operate said .jaws to grip said line during movement of said carriage in either direction across said Space to be curtained and to release said line at either side 0f said Spacefl, A supporting and operating mechanism for a one-piece curtain comprising in combination,

a supporting track adapted to extend entirely across the space to be curtained and beyond each side thereof, a draw-line movable in opposite directions for drawing said curtain from either side of said space to the other, part of said track having atop inclined surface. curtain supporting carriages movable horizontally, along said track, tensioned, vertically movable line gripping means extending from each carriage free of the track, inclined surface means located on said track on opposite sides of said space adapted to actuate said gripping means at the beginning of each carriage movement across said space to grip said draw-line, and to release said line at the other end of the carriage movement at the opposite side of said space, whereby said curtain can be moved from folded position at one side of said space along said track in unfolded condition and into folded position at the other side of said space.

8. A curtaining supporting and operating mechanism comprising in combination, a track adapted to extend across a space to be curtained, a draw-line movable longitudinally of said track, a curtain supporting carriage mounted for movement along said track, and having an opening therein for said line, a slidably mounted springpressed line-gripping jaw movably supported on said carriage for movement into and out of operative line gripping position in the opening of said carriage rotatable means in connection with the jaw adapted to follow the contour of the track for operating said jaw to grip said line during movement of said carriage in either direction across said track, and inclined cam surface means on said track forming part of the opposite ends of the track to release said line when said carriage reaches either side of said track.

9. A curtain carrying and operating mechanism comprising in combination, an inverted U track having a curtain supporting surface adapted to extend across a space to be curtained, a top inclined surface operatively associated with said supporting surface, a draw-line movable longitudinally of said supporting surface, a carriage movable along said supporting surface, a curtain supporting hanger on said carriage projecting below said surface and having an eye through which said draw-line runs, a line clamping jaw in connection with the carriage movable relatively to said eye and cooperating therewith to grip said line, a reciprocable jaw-supporting stem extending through said carriage and having one end operatively associated with said top inclined surface, roller means in connection with the stem,

and tensioned means around the stem for yieldingly holding said stem in operative association with said top inclined surface and to release said jaw at a predetermined point in the travel of said carri-age on the track when the roller means engages the top inclined surface.

10. A mechanism comprising in combination, a track having a curtain supporting surface adapted to extend across a space to be curtained, a top inclined surface operatively associated with said supporting surface, a draw-line movable longitudinally of said supporting surface, a carriage movable along said supporting surface of the track and having a curtain supporting hanger projecting below said surface provided with an eye through which said draw-line runs, a line clamping jaw movable relatively to said eye and cooperating therewith to grip said line, a jaw operating stem extending through a socket formed in said carriage to a position adjacent said cam surface, rotatable means carrying the stem, and spring means in the carriage associated with said stem and located in said carriage socket for maintaining Said rotatable means in operative contact with said top surface and to release said line at a predetermined point in the travel of said carriage.

11. A curtain supporting and operating mechanism comprising in combination, a track formed by an inverted U-shaped member having spaced lower supporting surfaces and an upper inclined cam surface and a relatively straight top surface, a draw-line movable longitudinally of said track and spaced below said supporting surfaces, a curtain supporting carriage having spaced rollers mounted on and movable along said supporting surfaces and a curtain supporting hanger mounted on said carriage and projecting downwardly through the space between said supporting surfaces, said hanger having an eye through which said draw-line runs, a line gripping jaw mvably Vsu'lplted in 'said y and cooperating With said eye for gripping said line; a javi? operating stern extending through said carriage, stem operating rollers mounted thereon and movable along said cam ands'traight top suf-face; and means for yieldin'gly holding said rollers in 'contact With said cam and straight top surfaces and relatively moving Ysaid jav'i in and 'out of line grip'- pih'e position.

12. A curtain meehanism omprisig in combiL nation, an inverted U'shaped tral; ribe having spaced inner surfas formed by inwardly extending anges en each arri-i of the ULShapd member and a web and inclined surface above said inner surfaces, a carriage movable along said supporting surfaces, a curtain supporting hanger on said carriage projecting downwardly through the space between said flanges and hai/'ing aneye, a draw-line run-ning through said eye and mov'- able longitudirially of said track, line gripping means reciprooable Within Said 'eye to connect said carriage to said line for movement therewith, a vertically movable spr'ing'pr'es'sed plunger slidfably mounted in bore extending through Said carriage for operating said gripping means', means on said plu-nger engaging the top of said U-shaped member adapted to follovv the contour thereof, and a top inclined surface on said inner face for actuating said plunger to operate said line gripping means at predetermined points in the movement of said carriage along said track.

13. A mechanism comprising in combination, an inverted U-shaped track' member having spaced inner supporting suiifaces" formed by in'- Wardly extending anges on each arm' of the 8. U-shaped member and an inner face, part of Which is straight and part inclined, a carriage mounted for horizontal movement along said supporting surface, a curtain supporting hanger depending from said carriage and having an eye, a draw-line movable longitudinally of said track and running through said eye, a line gripping jaw reciprocably operable within said eye to connect said carriage to said line for movement therewith, a verticallymovable springepressed plunger ntegral with said eyev and slidably mounted in a bore extending through said carriage for operating said gripping jaw, roller means on said plunger engaging the inner surface of said U-shaped member, said inclined face on said track being adapted to reciprocate said plunger to operate said jaw to grip said line at predetermined points for movement of said carriage |along said track, and 'spring means in said bore for yieldingly maintaining said roller means in engagement with said inner face and to release said draw-line at predetermined points in said earu riage movement in the track.

CHESTER RAKEMAN.

Rnienanrvoes errar) The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number I `Name Date 1,7 fll5 Vallen Mar. 11, 1930 1,848,Q Vollad Mar. 1, 1932 1,855,037 Vroom Apr. 19, 1932 2,012,460 Vallen Apr, 27, 1935 

